Subscribe
Search
ePaper
Newsletters
Subscribe
ePaper
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Search
Dan about town
blog

Mutually assured destruction at the Whitney

By Dan Duray
13 April 2017
Share

As part of the Whitney Biennial, the artist Frances Stark presented a night of “lectures” on 14 April at the museum by the DC punk-rock legend Ian Svenonius (of Nation of Ulysses, The Make-Up, Weird War, and Chain and the Gang). Stark’s contribution to the biennial is blown-up drawings of Svenonius’ manifesto Censorship Now!, a maybe-satire that dispenses koans such as “Ikea wants couples to break up. Each break-up results in more bachelors and bachelorettes, which results in more Ikea products sold.” The evening had a setlist. “There may be an encore lecture,” said Svenonius, in a glittery suit, with an electric guitar. “It may be original or a cover of a classic lecture.” One lecture, titled “The Suburban Esoteric”, analysed why Bob Dylan smoked marijuana and why it was more dangerous for the Beatles to smoke marijuana. Stand-out lyrics from another lecture referring to deterrence titled “Vote for me: I want my finger on the button” included: “Some say a chicken in every pot. Why not a silo in every yard?” A drum machine droned in the background. Then he played a solo.

Dan about town
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn
© The Art Newspaper